by Dilly Court
Nettie glanced out of the window. ‘It’s getting dark and I can see the lights of London. We’re almost there.’
The train chugged into Charing Cross Station, expelling clouds of steam as it ground to a halt. The air smelled of smoke, soot and crowded humanity as people scurried about, heading for their chosen destinations with grim determination. Rufus insisted on hiring a cab, although Nettie insisted that it was only a short walk to Covent Garden, but it was dark and it had started to rain. The market was closed, and it was too early for the theatre crowds to arrive as they alighted from the cab outside the door of Ma Burton’s lodging house. The pubs were open, but there were only a few hardened drinkers roaming the streets, and now the rain was falling steadily. The yellow beams of the gaslights danced on the puddles and turned the cobblestones to shimmering gold, but Nettie knew that this was simply an illusion, and the stench of rotting vegetable matter combined with horse dung and overflowing drains brought her back to the reality of living in the city.
Rufus paid the cabby and the Hansom clattered off, splashing through the surface water.
‘You’d better come in.’ Nettie opened the door and stepped inside. ‘Percy should be home from the office by now, and if Pa has lit the fire I can make you a cup of tea.’
Rufus followed her into the entrance hall. ‘So this is where you live?’
It was too dark to see his expression, but Nettie sensed his disapproval. ‘It’s not a bad place,’ she said defensively.
He sniffed. ‘Whatever that is, it stinks to high heaven.’
Nettie stifled a giggle. ‘It’ll be Ma Burton’s attempts at cooking. She’s the only one with a proper kitchen range. The rest of us have to manage with a trivet in front of the fire.’
‘I hope whatever it is tastes better than it smells.’
Nettie was about to speak when the door to Lisette’s apartment opened and the condesa stood in the doorway, resplendent in a fur-trimmed cloak.
‘Nettie, you’re home.’ She raised the lantern she was holding a little higher. ‘Mr Norwood, I wasn’t expecting to see you here. What brings you to Covent Garden?’
‘I have business in the city, ma’am.’
‘You’ve obviously come to stay for a while.’ Lisette stared pointedly at the valise Rufus was holding. ‘I doubt if there’s room for you with Byron and his friends.’
‘It’s not a problem, Condesa. There are plenty of hotels in London.’
‘I’m just off to the theatre, but I have a spare room since Constance went away. You’re welcome to use it, Mr Norwood, but you would have to look after yourself. I had to let my maid go; she was quite useless.’
Nettie stepped in between them. ‘You’ll be glad to know that Biddy has found a new home. I found her shivering in the cold in the privy where she must have spent the night, thanks to you.’
‘I don’t like your tone, Nettie.’
‘I’m sorry about that, but it’s the truth. You turned her out and it was lucky I found her when I did.’
‘Where is she now? I’ll give her another chance.’
‘You mean you need a servant who will work for almost nothing.’ Nettie could barely contain her anger. ‘As it happens, Biddy has found a new home. I left her with Mr and Mrs Norwood and they intend to adopt her.’
‘How fortunate for her,’ Lisette said vaguely. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to leave for the theatre.’ She turned her attention to Rufus. ‘My offer of the room still stands. I doubt if I’ll see Constance again.’
Nettie followed her to the door. ‘What do you mean by that? Do you know where she might have gone?’
‘Not exactly, but she was always talking about a grand house on the River Seine. She said that Duke had given it to her as a wedding present, or some such thing.’
‘I thought she hated the château.’
‘Constance is forever changing her mind. But if I were Duke Dexter and I wanted to spirit my reluctant bride away from her friends, I think that’s where I might take her.’
‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ Nettie resisted the temptation to give her a hug. ‘Condesa, you’re brilliant.’
‘No, my dear, I merely face facts. Now I must go or I’ll miss curtain call.’ Lisette swept out of the building as if she were exiting the stage after a performance.
‘I think the condesa is right,’ Nettie said thoughtfully. ‘Whether Constance went willingly, or not, I think that’s where Duke would have taken her.’
‘What do you intend to do? If she went of her own free will there’s no point in following them, but if she was coerced into accompanying him, she might need help.’
‘I couldn’t put it better myself.’ Nettie headed towards the staircase. ‘I need to speak to Percy and I’m sure you want to see him, too. Follow me.’ She led the way upstairs and came to a halt on the second floor outside the room shared by Byron and the others.
After a few seconds the door opened and Percy peered into the darkness. ‘Nettie, you’ve come home. Your pa said you’d gone to the country and he didn’t know when you’d be back.’ His face lit up when he spotted Rufus standing behind her. ‘This is a nice surprise. Come in, both of you.’
Nettie stepped into the room where a warm fug had built up as the friends grouped round the fire, eating fish and chips out of newspaper, and drinking beer. They jumped to their feet at the sight of her, and Byron hurried over to give her a hug, but his smile faded when he saw Rufus.
‘What is he doing here? Did he bring you back to London?’
‘I’m not a child, Byron. I can travel on my own if I choose. Rufus happened to have business in town and he wanted to see Percy.’
Byron glared at Rufus, who had walked over to join Ted and Pip by the fire. Percy handed him a bottle of ale and they seemed to have forgotten Nettie’s existence.
‘He could have done that at any time,’ Byron said in a low voice. ‘Why did he choose to come today?’
Nettie met his angry gaze with a shake of her head. ‘Ask him, not me. We travelled together, that’s all. Now I’ve done my bit and I’m going upstairs to see what Pa wants for supper.’
‘No, wait, please. I didn’t mean to sound cross. It’s dark and I was worried about you travelling on your own.’
‘As you can see I wasn’t alone, and Rufus was coming to London on business anyway, so he accompanied me on the journey. Are you satisfied now?’
‘Yes, I’m sorry. Won’t you come in and join us?’
‘Maybe later. Pa will be wondering where I am.’ Nettie walked towards the stairs and she did not look back. Byron’s reaction had been both unreasonable and annoying. She had, until now, taken the relationship between them very much for granted. He was a dear friend, but she had never thought of him romantically. Rufus’s comment on the train came back to her forcibly, and Byron’s behaviour might be put down to jealousy, although he had once or twice tried to explain how he felt. Perhaps she had been too wrapped up in her own problems and those of her friends to listen properly? She would think about that later, but now she must make sure that her father had something to eat, because once he started working he was likely to forget about small details like food and drink. Tomorrow morning, first thing, she would take her manuscript to the publisher’s office.
The clerk at Dorning and Lacey greeted Nettie with a welcoming smile. ‘You’ve finished it then, Miss Carroll?’
Nettie nodded and laid the manuscript on the desk. ‘I’ve tried to make it neater this time,’ she said earnestly. ‘But it’s travelled a long way since I wrote the first sentence.’
‘Really?’ The woman adjusted her spectacles and turned to the first page. ‘A good beginning. Let’s hope Mr Dorning likes this one. Although, I have to say I read your first effort and I thought it showed great promise, but then I’m only a clerk.’
‘But you’re more like the women who would read my books,’ Nettie said eagerly. ‘I value your opinion.’
‘Well, good luck. I’ll put this on Mr
Dorning’s desk. He isn’t in yet, but I’ll be sure to point it out to him.’
‘Thank you. I really appreciate it.’ Nettie left the office feeling hopeful, but also nervous. She had worked under the most difficult of circumstances in order to produce the novel, and now it was in the hands of strangers. Surely it must feel like this when a mother sent her child off to boarding school for the first time? Nettie wished that she could stay with her manuscript and defend her work from the inevitable criticisms the publisher would make, but that was impossible. She quickened her pace as she set off for Covent Garden and home, but a sudden thought occurred to her and she changed direction, heading instead for Duke’s gallery in Mayfair.
She thought at first that it was closed. There did not seem to be any activity inside, but she tried the door and found it opened easily. She went in and came face to face with Pendleton.
‘Miss Carroll,’ he said smoothly. ‘I didn’t expect to see you today.’
‘I haven’t come on business. I need your help, Mr Pendleton.’
‘Really? I can’t think how I might be of assistance to you, Miss Carroll.’
‘I really need to find Mr Dexter.’
‘I’m sure I don’t know where he is, miss.’
Nettie managed a smile. ‘I’m sure that’s not true, Mr Pendleton. I know for a fact that Mr Dexter trusts and respect you more than anyone. You need not put it into words – a nod would do.’
Pendleton straightened his shoulders, looking down his nose at her. ‘I wouldn’t betray my employer’s trust.’
‘Of course not, and I wouldn’t ask it of you. All I want to know is if Mr Dexter has gone to France. The flicker of an eyelid or a nod will do.’
Pendleton stiffened, saying nothing, but his left eyelid closed so slightly that its movement was almost imperceptible.
‘Was his destination the château?’
Chapter Twenty-Two
Nettie took a cab home. It was sheer extravagance, but it was early afternoon and she needed to move quickly. She found her father at work, as usual, and having run up all three flights of stairs, she stopped to catch her breath.
‘I think Duke has taken Constance to France,’ she gasped.
‘Really? Well, that’s a surprise,’ Robert said calmly. ‘I thought she was sweet on Byron’s brother.’
‘She is, or at least she was. But I saw Pendleton this morning and he led me to believe that they’d gone to the château.’
Robert wiped his brush on his smock, adding to the rainbow hues already there. ‘Well, I can’t think of a lovelier spot. I could quite happily live in that ancient castle overlooking the river.’
‘Pa, be serious. I can’t just abandon Constance. She might have been taken against her will.’
‘My dear Nettie, in my opinion Constance wouldn’t think twice if the situation were to be reversed. That young lady puts herself first in everything. If Duke has made her a better offer I doubt if she would refuse.’
‘I need to speak to Byron, but he’s at work, and so is Percy.’
‘I hope you don’t intend to go gallivanting across the Channel again, my love. I need to finish these three paintings, and Duke is bound to return if only to collect them and pass them on to his clients.’
‘I’m sure that Pendleton could do that, Pa. I think Duke is up to something.’
‘Give the man a chance, my love. If Duke has decided to turn over a new leaf then we must respect him for making the change.’
Nettie sighed and left him to continue painting. She had hoped, if only for her father’s sake, that Duke was trying to make an honest living, but she now had serious doubts. It would be just like Duke to sell the copies abroad as originals, and there had been something highly suspect in Pendleton’s demeanour. The fact that the gallery appeared to be closed for business was another reason to wonder why Duke had suddenly decided to return to France. And why had Constance agreed to accompany him? Nettie needed to talk to someone who was not directly connected with the problem. Byron and Percy would be hard at work, as would Ted and Pip. There was just one other person who might give her a sensible answer, and if she hurried she might catch Rufus before he left the building.
Nettie hurried downstairs without stopping to take off her outdoor things, but as she reached the first-floor landing she was aware of raised voices coming from the entrance hall. Madame Fabron was screeching at someone and Amelie was adding her voice to the argument. As Nettie rounded the bend in the stairs she saw Lisette standing with her back to the wall. She was deathly pale, clutching her throat and making strangled attempts to speak.
‘What’s the matter?’ Nettie cried as she raced down the remaining stairs and hurried to Lisette’s side. ‘Are you ill?’
‘She won’t sing again today, that’s for sure.’ Violet Fabron threw back her head and laughed. ‘That’s what you get for stealing my part in the show – now it’s mine.’
‘You tell her, Ma,’ Amelie screamed.
‘What’s going on?’ Ma Burton emerged from the door leading down to her basement lair. ‘What’s the commotion?’
‘Mind your own business, you nosy cow,’ Violet snarled. ‘This is between me and her, the Frenchwoman.’
‘What have they done to you?’ Nettie asked, placing her arm around Lisette’s trembling body.
‘My throat,’ Lisette rasped. ‘They’ve poisoned me.’
‘Poison, my eye,’ Violet said angrily. ‘I wish I had poisoned you, you bitch. You’ll have a sore throat for a few days, that’s all.’
‘I can’t say I blame you.’ Ma Burton’s chins wobbled up and down as a deep chuckle rumbled from her stomach to her lips. ‘She’s a stuck-up foreigner, and she owes me a week’s rent.’
‘Well, you won’t get it now.’ Violet preened herself. ‘After that disaster at the matinée performance I doubt if she’ll ever work on the London stage again.’
‘I’ll call the police,’ Lisette said hoarsely. ‘What did you put in the honey I take to ease a sore throat?’
‘Oh dear, me hand must have slipped with the cayenne pepper,’ Amelie said, laughing. ‘Sorry, love. My mistake. Anyway, the audience loved it. They laughed till they cried.’
‘So they did,’ Violet said, nodding. ‘But the producer didn’t see the funny side. I was her understudy, but tonight I’ll be the leading lady, and tomorrow and the day after. I’ll be so good that the French bitch will get the boot, and you can toss her out on the street, for all I care, Ma.’ She linked arms with her daughter and they sauntered into the street, their laughter echoing in the hallway even after they had gone.
‘Serve you right for being a stuck-up cow,’ Ma Burton said, wheezing with laughter. ‘I wish I’d seen your face. Now you can clear off. I got another tenant lined up for your rooms, and you can send your fancy man packing, too. I don’t hold with immoral goings-on in my house.’
‘Mr Norwood is a respectable businessman,’ Nettie said angrily. ‘You can’t throw the condesa out. We’ll pay her rent if she’s in arrears.’
‘And where did you get the money from, I’d like to know?’ Ma Burton stood, arms akimbo. ‘You and your pa are the ones who normally pay late. Has he slipped off the straight and narrow again? Naughty, naughty.’ Her smile faded. ‘But if you’re an hour behind with your rent, I’ll send my boys to collect the money or take what they want. If you get my meaning.’ She took a step backwards as the door to Lisette’s rooms opened and Rufus emerged, his angry scowl directed at Ma.
‘I heard what you said. Your boys will come off worst if they try to intimidate either of these ladies. I don’t know you, madam, but don’t threaten my friends.’
‘You don’t frighten me, sonny. Take the old whore and get out of my house. I don’t want her sort giving my respectable lodging house a bad name. I got a reputation to keep up, and that one is finished in the theatre. Madame Fabron will see to that.’ Ma stomped off, head held high, her huge body rocking from side to side as she opened the cellar door, slamming
it behind her.
Lisette clutched her throat. ‘I may never sing again.’
‘I’m sure your voice will return when the soreness goes away,’ Nettie said anxiously. ‘I could go to the shop and get some honey and a lemon or two. That might help.’
‘Perhaps a few drops of laudanum in water would soothe the pain,’ Rufus suggested warily. ‘Maybe you should see a physician.’
‘I can’t afford to pay.’ Lisette leaned against the wall, fanning herself with her hand. ‘They did this to me. My throat was dry and I called for my usual glass of lemon and honey, and took a sip.’ Tears rolled down her cheeks, streaking her stage make-up. ‘I croaked like a frog – it was humiliating.’
‘Save your voice, Condesa,’ Nettie said gently. ‘Come inside and lie down. I’ll see if I can find some laudanum.’
Lisette allowed them to help her into her parlour where she stretched out on the sofa, covering her eyes with her hand. ‘I’m ruined.’
Nettie found a bottle of laudanum in one of the cupboards and she added a few drops to a glass of water, which she handed to Lisette. ‘Drink this. It will ease the pain.’
Lisette raised herself on her elbow and gulped down the liquid, wincing as if each swallow caused her pain. She lay back, handing the empty glass to Nettie. ‘I’m finished in London.’
‘I can’t do anything here,’ Rufus said quietly. ‘I have a business appointment, Nettie. I have to go now.’
Nettie followed him to the door. ‘Yes, of course. I’ll look after the condesa.’
‘Is she really a countess?’
Nettie noticed that his eyes crinkled at the corners and his generous mouth had a comical twist when he smiled. Despite the seriousness of the situation she found herself responding with a chuckle. ‘No, although we were taken in at first. She lived with the count, but they never married.’
He nodded. ‘She has had a colourful past, poor lady. I don’t imagine this fiasco will do much for her reputation in the theatre, even though it wasn’t her fault.’
‘Maybe she would like to return to France,’ Nettie said thoughtfully. ‘She might want to come with me.’
